VE6AB Antenna Werks

6 Meter Halo - Final Cut

With extensive testing done on my 2nd generation 6 meter Halo, and described elsewhere in this gallery, and although the antenna performed reasonably well, I found that there was one section of the antenna that I could improve on.

This was in regards to the diameter and length of the elements, as further testing using antenna modeling software and my antenna analyzer, proved that a change was in order to allow for a lower take off angle to the horizon, making a difference for working distant DX.

I also lengthened the main housing as seen here, allowing the antenna to balance better when mounted on a mobile, with the mount positioned closer to the center of the antenna, compensating for the weight of the section of the loop forward of the mount.

For the record this antenna may also be mounted in a fixed position for base operations, or out in the field mounted on the side of a push-up mast assembly for Field Day, or whatever your preference.
I felt I should make this understood that when I started to formulate a plan for designing and building this antenna, that I wanted it to be capable of being mounted on a mobile.

I also added aluminum inserts to the mounting end of the elements giving better support to the elements while mounted on a mobile and subjected to the rigors of going down rough roads.

If you noticed, I have not given any dimensions in my descriptions of changes to my prototype antenna, and this is by design, as I will be doing a construction article on this all aluminum ( other than the stainless steel fasteners, and Delrin mounting adapter) 6 meter Halo antenna in the near future.

I designed this antenna to be built with handtools, including a cordless drill, although a small bench mounted drill press will simplify the task.
Besides, if your building antennas amongst other activities while participating in the hobby of amateur radio, you owe it to yourself to acquire a small bench mounted drill press.
Companies such as Harbor Freight sell bench mounted drill presses for as low as $70.00 US, less than the cost of a cordless drill in many cases.

Note.....do not read to much into what you see in regards to the RF Network smith chart readings on the screen of the antenna analyzer, as the results are skewed due to the positioning of the antenna and the analyzer for this photo.

Shop Therapy 101.....
http://www.jerryclement.ca/MachineShop/Machine-Shop/i-28wbq3S

How to article on building the 6 Meter Halo Antenna for DXing.....
http://www.jerryclement.ca/HamRadio/VE6AB-Articles-and-Mentions/i-fks96dP

Series of construction photos .....
http://www.jerryclement.ca/MachineShop/Antenna-Werks/i-jK3f8gH

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